WINTER 2000

In this issue • Families find strength in grant-funded program • Task force takes on youth and family issues • Des Moines Initiative offers new learning opportunities • Fight fire with fire -- for better firefighter training • Journey into new agriculture ventures • CIRAS works on quality control in agriculture • "Speaking of skin cancer" -- A cooperative success • Conferences examine transitions in agriculture • Dairy laboratory is "center of excellence" __________   The Extension Connection Winter 2000 homepage __________ Previous issues Fall 1999 Summer 1999 Spring 1999 Winter 1999 Fall 1998 __________ ISU Extension homepage

CIRAS works on quality control in agriculture Setting quality standards and implementing control procedures is common in many manufacturing environments. But a movement is afoot in Iowa to bring new quality controls to the agricultural sector, and Iowa State University Extension's Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) is helping lead the way. Katherine Addison, a process control manager with Armour Swift-Eckrich's meat processing plant in Britt, has been working with CIRAS on implementing ISO 9000. ISO 9000 certification, which involves external audits and verification, is a highly recognized quality control standard that many companies have embraced. But it's a hard sell for people in any business, including agriculture, according to Merle Pochop, an extension field specialist. ISO 9000 is a technology that is used to change an organization by changing the way people think, he stated. CIRAS has teamed up with other key extension personnel to apply the concepts of ISO 9000 to the agricultural community. "We've talked to a number of ag-related businesses and producers, including two grain cooperatives," commented Verl Anders, CIRAS operations manager. "The key to success will be to develop quality systems that make sense to the ag sector." Katherine Addison, a process control manager with Armour Swift-Eckrich's meat processing plant in Britt, has been working with CIRAS on implementing ISO 9000. "It's a very tedious process, especially if you're trying to do it in a smaller environment," she said. "The real challenge is keeping the process going, but we know the productivity and quality benefits are well-worth the work involved with achieving accreditation." ISO 9000 accreditation involves making changes and implementing procedures that allow the company to respond to the demands of customers. "The agricultural marketplace offers some unique challenges, but we're working to make ISO 9000 fit those special circumstances," Pochop said. "The needs of the farmer are different than those of traditional manufacturers."